Action on climate change and affordable, clean energy

We need to reduce extreme weather events by acting on climate change and when heatwaves, fires, floods and storms hit, we should work together to help each other recover. Climate change is threatening people’s homes, livelihoods, health, quality of life, employment, and the cost of living.

But fossil fuel companies are continuing to profit with the help of subsidies from governments and tax avoidance. We need governments to take effective action on climate change and to support people, communities and community sector organisations to become more resilient to extreme weather and natural disasters. No one should have to suffer extreme heat without escape or have to go to bed freezing cold.

While some home owners can afford solar panels and to make their homes more energy efficient, people on low incomes are struggling with electricity bills, going cold in winter and sweltering through summer heatwaves. Government should support people on low incomes, especially renters, to have solar, battery storage and more efficient homes so they can reduce their electricity bills and cope in extreme weather.

Climate change, caused by increasing carbon pollution primarily from burning fossil fuels and land clearing, is one of the most significant issues facing people, communities, economies, and our planet. And although climate change effects all life, the people experiencing disadvantage and poverty are the most vulnerable to its impacts, and to a poorly managed transition to clean energy.

Australia is already experiencing the impacts of higher temperatures, sea level rise and more frequent and/or intense weather events such as heatwaves, bushfire, flooding, and drought. These impacts threatens people’s homes, livelihoods, health, quality of life, employment, as well as increasing risks and burdens for future generations

There will be costs, but if managed well the transition to a cleaner economy is an opportunity to create a more just, equitable and sustainable nation.